Centrifugal apparatus



Nos. 7, 1944.

G.IR. ANDERSON CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS Original Filed July 29, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I/vvavmm GORDON RANDERSON M4 fizz,

A TT'ORNEY.

Nov. 7, 1944. G. R. ANDERSON CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS Original Filed July 29, 1940 3 Sheets-sheaf 2 v INVENTOH; GORDON RANDERSON ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1944. I

G. R. ANDERSON CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed July 29, 1940 RANDERSON m m f BY 63$ 4 M04;

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 7, 1944 'CENTRIFUGAL Arrmrus Gordon R. Anderson, Beloit, Wia, assignorto Fairbanks, Morse & 00., Chicago, Ill... a corporationof Illinois Original application July 29, 1940, Serial No.

348,093. Divided and this application August 24, 1942. Serial No. 455.838

6 Claims. (01. 22-65) This invention relates to centrifugal apparatus, such as casting equipment, and more particularly to improvements in the construction of such apparatus such that it may be utilized as a means for transporting a heated mold unit to be cast thereon, provide an improved supporting table and clamping means for the more rapid securement and release of the heated mold unit and which will preclude rotational displacement of the supporting table until certain protective devices have been properly positioned to enclose the mold unit secured thereto.

The present invention embodies an important item of production apparatus which is particu larly well adapted for use in the manufacture of cast rotor members for electric machines or the like; the principles and practice of one method by which suchcast rotor members may be produced being embodied in a prior, parent application filed by Gordon R. Anderson on July 29,

1940, and bearing Serial No. 348,093, of which this instant application constitutes a division. Said parent application has since eventuated as Letters Patent No. 2,304,067, bearing issue date of December 8, 1942. In its broader aspects, however, the present improvements are applicable to apparatus for centrifugally processing a variety of materials, usually confined for treatment in a suitable container.

Accordingly, a principal object of the invention resides in the provision of an improved casting table and centrifugally actuated casting mold supporting means operably carried thereon such that the casting table, together with the supporting means may be utilized for the transportation of the casting mold, and further such that the centrifugal supporting means may be adjusted relative to the table in order to facilitate the positionment of the same for the reception and securement of the mold unit thereon for rotation and casting.

Yet another object of the invention resides in sense, the spinning or centrifugal apparatus includes a number of refinements such as moldlocking or holding provisions, safety features, and facilities for effecting a bodily or translatory movement of the molding unit.

Other objects and advantages will .be pointed out in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the centrifugal casting apparatus when considered in view of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the supporting table and rotary mold supporting means} as well as a view showing the mold and protective hood in place about the supporting means; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the mold supporting plate illustrating the clamping jaw guide slots as seen along line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the cam plate adapted for actuating the clamping laws as seen along line 33 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4

illustrates certain details of the form and mounting provisions for the jaws as seen along line 4-4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a section through a snapaction locking pin device for locking plates of Figs. 2 and 3 from unintended relative movement asrseen along line 5-5 of Fig. 1; Fi 6 is an assembly elevation of the mobile casting table and mold supporting member, the location of which is indicated in Fig. 7, and Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic floor layout indicating the location of the several items of apparatus and certain steps or phases in the process for making cast rotor members.

The following description of the casting apparatus. and its adjunctive agencies, it is 'believed, will be facilitated by'cross reference to the prior parent application, above mentioned, and other divisions thereof, the same characters of reference being preserved throughout in the description of the .identical parts and elements of the present casting apparatus.

Before proceeding with a detailed and extended discussion of the centrifugal casting apparatus per se, some brief remarks should be directed to the general organization and arrangement of the cooperating production equipment, of which the present casting apparatus is an important part. The apparatus Ill for handling the heated container or mold assembly ll, 20 and 25 (Fig. 1) is comprehensively indicated in Fig. 6. However, this device is only intended toillustrat a preferred arrangement and construction of a mobile transporting and work-holding means. As shown, a horizontally arranged frame 'll is supported upon comer legs 12, the lower ends of these legs engaging the floor through caster I erational steps.

cable and pipe conduit 18, in the floor, serves to direct these lines to the floor end of the post '15.

The utility of the presently preferred centrifugal casting apparatus (Fig. 1) movably mounted on the work table 10 (Fig. 6), is shown to best advantage in Fig. 7 wherein the translatory character of the work table and the movement of t e centrifugal casting apparatus relative to the table is indicated in a schematic diagram. As there indicated, the work table 10 is arranged for pivotal movement aboutthe central post. The centrifugal casting apparatus or spinner plate mechanism is arranged for movement outwardly of the free end of the table 10, such that the casting mold units may be loaded thereon and later removed upon completion of the casting operations. As an illustration. the station E indicates the position of the work table 10 with the spinner plate mechanism in extended, load receiving position. After retraction of the loaded spinner plate mechanism, the table may be moved to the station F and there the'spinner plate again moved outwardly to the station G where the pouring and centrifugalcasting of the unit take place. The final phase in this series of production steps is 'the movement of the table 10 to station H where delivery of the completely cast unit occurs. It is also within the contemplation of this schematlc production layout, that the station H serve as a receiving station for the casting mold unit in order to facilitate the initial handling thereof. Thus, the loading of the mold units at station H, transportation therefrom to station E for admission to a heating furnace, of any suitable type, reception of the heated mold unit from the furnace and transportation to the stations F and G for casting. conduces to ease and rapidity of op- It is, of course, evident that many possible variations of the described layout will present themselves, therefore the layout indicated is merely indicative of one such possibility and should not be considered as limiting the scope or utility of the apparatus now to be described. A full and complete description of the foregoing production layout may be had upon reference to the prior, parent application Serial No. 348,093., before mentioned.

Turning now to Fig. 6 of the drawings, the details of the centrifugal casting apparatus will now be described. The outer end of work table 10 is provided with a pair of parallel track members IT and carried on this track is a movable carriage 8!! having rolling contact therewith through wheels or rollers 8|. (See Fig. 1.) The carriage 80 supports the mold spinning and clamping mechanism which will be described in detail in connection with Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The inner end portion of work table '10 is provided with a top plate or work surface (not shown), upon which certain necessary tools and other parts may be placed so as to be accessible to the housing being adapted to contain an elect parts are indicated in Fig. 1.

motor 83 and a pneumatic ram device 84, these latter members constituting part of the spinning and clamping assembly for the mold and contents, later to be noted. A flexible electric power cable 85 extends from the motor 83 to and through the hollow pivot post 15 and floor conduit 18 to a suitable control station '(See Fig. '7 Similarly, air line 86 supplies air to the ram device 84, control valve 81 being inserted in the line and positioned upon the frame H, as indicated.

Referring again to the movable carriage 80, it will be noted that this member is adapted to move outwardly of the end of the work table 10, so that certain operations may be performed and carried out, as for instance. the reception of the heated mold assembly upon its discharge from the heating furnace (station E of Fig. '7), and again at the pouring station G where the mold is positioned and placed in condition to receive the moltencasting metal. In each of these loca' tions the carriage is run out or extended so as to be in its proper position. It is necessary, therefore, to support the carriage while in its extended position, and consequently a suitable supporting track (not shown) is provided on th furnace supporting structure. The rollers 81 ride onto the track members and thus enable the carriage to assume its mold receiving position beneath the furnace opening. Similarly, the raised platform 92, provided at the pouring and spinning station' is recessed or notched at 93 (Figs. 6 and 7) and roller guidcways or tracks 94 provided to receive the carriage rollers 8|. Carriage 80 is moved into or retracted from this extended position by means of a fluid pressure moto including a pneumatic ram 95, rigidly carried upon the under side of the work table 10 as indicated. The ram arm 96 is securedto a push plate 91 carried at the inner end of the carriage 80. Air for operating this ram is supplied thereto through pipe 98, while a line control valve 99 regulates the direction of ram movement. The work table 10, with the carriage 80 in its retracted position (Fig. 6), may be manually moved through its circula orbit, or a motor or other power means (not shown) may be adapted for this purpose.

The details of the carriage 80 and associated The carriage, per se, consists of a relatively flat surfaced supporting frame lfll formed to provide, on its uppe face.

a rib or raised circumferential flange I02, and a central raised flange I03 adapted to the outer race of a thrust bearing I04. The carriage support consists of rollers or wheels 8| mounted in supporting bracket members through a shaft or axle I06, clearly indicated in Fig. 1. The rollers 8| operate in track or guide members '11, the latter forming a part of the work table '10, before noted. Operably and revolvably carried by the carriage 80 is a work-holding means or mold clamping and spinning organization now to be described.

A supporting sleeve or hollow shaft member H0, projecting through an aperture III in frame or plate IOI, carries-the inner raceway of bearing 104, above noted. A retainer plate H2 confines the bearing I04 to a limited axial movement or play. Screws H3 fasten plate H2 to the upper face of the flange 103 as shown. A second sleeve or head member H4 fits over the upper end of sleeve H0, in telescoped relation, and one or more set screws H5 retain these sleeves in locked elation. ,Slidably carried within the sleeve H0 is a piston rod or ram H6. The upper end of the rod or ram H6 is enlarged, as at H9, and this the housing 82.

head II 8 seats in a recess I20 in the sleeve I I 4. A packing ring I22, of suitable material, is clamped between the upper end of sleeve H and the lower face of an internal flange I23 formed on sleeve II4. Screws I24 seat in 'fiange I23 and threadedly engage the upper end of sleeve IIO, thus retaining these elements in assembly, all as clearly indicated. The lower end of sleeve I I0 is flanged, as at I26, and the peripheral face of this flange I26 is suitably cut to provide gear teeth I21. A pinion gear I28, carried on power shaft I30, meshes with the toothed flange I26 and serves to rotate the sleeve assembly, the latter including the shaft member IIO, thus constituting a drive shaft for the spinner plate I34. Shaft I30, suitably supported in bracket arm I3 I, is direct-connected to the motor 83 (Fig. 6) before noted. Bracket arm I3I is supported on the side wall of downwardly as the motor shaft, in which case the rotor of the drive motor will be mounted directly on the hollow shaft I I0 or extension thereof. In the latter construction, which is regarded as obvious and not requiring detailed illustration, the piston or pressure-actuated ram, including the plunger or ram element II6, may operate axially through the quill shaft IIO.

The sleeve I I4 is formed to provide an enlarged head portion I33 upon which is mounted a circular container or mold-supporting spinner plate I34. The plate I34 is seated in a recess or annular notch I35 formed in the face of the head portion I33. A series of bolts or screws I36 rigidly secure the plate I34 in the annular notch I35. A plurality of containeror mold-holding fingers preferably constituted by clamping members or jaw elements I 38, slidably carried on the plate I34, are adapted to engage the container or mold assembly through the provision of the annular clamping members I38 into or out of engagement with the mold recess 26, as by a camming action between depending follower elements or lugs I42,

integrally formed with clamps I38, and grooves or channels I43, each of somewhat spiral trend and formed in the face of plate I40 (Fig. 4).

The details of the spinner plate I34 and cam' plate I40 are shown in Figs. 2 and 3, respectively. The spinner plate I34 (Fig. 2) is centrally aperfaces of the T shaped guide members I41, and project into camming grooves I43 in cam plate I40. As may be seen in Fig. 3, the cam plate I40 is formed and machined to provide the aforesaid spirally directed grooves I43, there being as many such grooves as clamping elements I38. Each of the clamping elements I38, having integrally formed depending T shaped guide I41 and cam follower lug I42, is adapted to be positioned in radial slot I46 by inserting the same in the central aperture I45 of plate I34 so that the T shaped The piston rod or ram H6 is tured at I45, so that the plate will fit on the notch I of head member I33, before noted. A series of bolt holes are provided adjacent this aperture I for the reception of the holding bolts or screws I36. A plurality, shown as three grooves or slots I46, are cut through the plate I34 and are radially directed and spaced at angles v of 120. The clamping members I38 are slidably retained in the channels I46by means of an integral, depending T shaped portion I41 on each member I38, the details of which are shown clearly in Fig. 4. The follower elements or'lugs I42, above pointed out, are carried on the lower guide I41 may be received in the inner open end of slot ,I46. Thereafter, these elements are in condition to be moved outwardly in slots I48 for fin'al'assembly position with respect to cam plate I40. A brief study of Figs. 2 and 4 will indicate the manner of assembly of the clamping elements I38 on plate I34.

In the assembled arrangement of spinner plate I34 and cam plate I40 upon the head I33 of sleeve member II4 (Fig. 1), the plate I34 is rigidly secured to the head I33 by means of the aforesaid screws I36, while plate I40 is free to rotate relative to the head I33 and plate I34. This relative movement between the plate memhers is utilized to effect movement of the clamps or jaw elements I38, in radially inward or out-.

ward directions. This movement is transmitted to the jaws I38 through sliding contact of lugs I 42 in spiral or cam splots I43. To effect this jaw movement, the operator holds plate I34 and turns plate I40 in the desired direction so that jaws I38 are drawn up to engage the mold groove 26, or are backed off to release the same.

Once the jaws are brought up to clamping position (Fig. 1), asabove described, a locking device I50, carried by the cam plate I40, actuated so that the two plates are prevented from further unintended relative .movement. The locking device I50 consists of a retractible lock pin or plunger I5I (see Fig. 5), provided with a knurled head I52 at one end, and a recessengaging tip I53, of reduced diameter. The pin I5! is mounted in a bushing or body member I54 carried in the margin of plate I40, the bushing I54 being inserted in plate I40 from the top or upper face. The bushing I54 projects below the plate I40, and a holding nut or cap member I55 is threadedly received over this projecting end, and turned up into abutment with the bottom face of plate I40. A spring member I56, encircling the pin body I5I, ,is retained in the space I51 between the body member I54 and cap I55. This spring acts, through abutment with the cap I55 and a pressure pin'I60 or like member, carried by the pin I5I, to urge the pin tip I53 upwardly and into engagement with the selected one of suitably arranged recesses I6I in the plate I34, thereby looking or preventing the plates from further unintended relative movement.

Upon disengagement of the locking pin from the plate I34, the device is retained in retracted position by means of the engagement of a second pin I62 with an axially projecting rib I63 carried by the cap I55. The operator, through the knurled head I52, may retract the locking pin I5I and then, when pin I62 clears the end of rib I63, and after a rotation of the head I52, the pin I62 will be positioned across the rib I63 so as to maintain the device in retracted or unlocked position. The spring I56 is held in compression in the body space I51 until disengagement of pin I62 from rib I63. In the present example, two such locking devices are shown (Fig. 1 and 3), but any number maybe emplate IOI (Fig. 1).

ployed. It will be noted further that the marginal portion of the under face of plate I34 (Figs 2 and 5) is provided with closely arranged recesses IBI so that the plates I34and I40 may be locked in any one of a plurality of relative positions, as desired.

Referring again to Fig. 1, the procedure for securing and clamping the mold on the spinning plate I34 consists in, first, centering the mold so that the jaw elements I38, when drawn up as before described, will each hear an equal portion of the clamping load, and so that the jaws will positively engage the groove 26 formed in the top mold member 20, and second, actuating the air ram or press 84 so that the head I I9, on the upper end of piston rod H8, will properly engage the bottom mold plate 25 and press this plate into rigid engagement with the top mold and against the clamping jaws I38. To assist in centering the mold assembly, the ram head H9 and a portion of the rod IIB are drilled out or otherwise recessed, as at I65, for the reception of the end 41 of arbor 33. This center recess I65 through its centering effect, serves importantly to prevent any rotational unbalance or off-center position of the mold and spinner plate as such an unbalanced condition may create dangerous vibrations during the spinning operation.

The head I I9 of the air ram device 84 is further provided with slots or grooves I66, which cooperate with apertures 28 in mold plate to assist in the escape of any air or other gases which are trapped or generated during the pouring period or thereafter.

Upon completion of the clamping and securing operation, the carriage is run outwardly and into the platform recess 93 (Fig. 6) so that the mold and supporting plate are positioned, as at station G. At this point a hood member or safety guard I10 Figs. 1 and 6) is lowered or placed overtthe mold and spinner plate assembly, as by means of anair hoist mechanism I1I, this air hoist being of any suitable construction. The hood I10 encloses the mold and spinner plate and comes to rest adjacent and in closely fitting relation to the flange I02, on carriage It will be observed that the interfitting relation of flange I02 and the lower perimetral portion of hood I10, results effectively to protect the operator and exterior portions of the mechanism from any splash of molten metaL It may further be noted that the outside upper margin of flange I02 is bevelled or chamfered as shown, which fact tends to aid in quickly centering the hood I10 on the table I0! and over the flange, as the hood is lowered by the air hoist. This complete enclosure of the rotating parts of the mechanism adds to the safety of the pouring operation, as any splashing of molten casting metal will be confined to the space within the hood I10. The top surface of the hood is provided with a central aperture I12 so that the molten metal may be introduced to the mold body, positioned therebelow (Fig. 1). At the time the hood I10 is positioned as shown in Fig. 1, an arm or striker element I13, carried on the side of the hood, makes contact with the operating arm or lever I14 of a switch I15, preferably of mercoid type, although several suitable forms of other quick acting switch will be suitable (see Fig. 7). The switch I15, upon being actuated to circuit-closing position, completes the circuit to the spinner drive motor 83 through a motor speed control device or resistance unit I16, as

by wire B5 (Fig. 7). This power circuit and mercoid switch arrangement is greatly to be desired, as the mold and spinner plate cannot be rotated until the hood or safety guard I10 has been properly positioned as shown in Fig. 1.

The advantages and utility of the above described casting apparatus are best exemplified in connection with the schematic layout or diagram of Fig. '7, as before pointed out. However, there are certain specific advantages to be attained in the present arrangement and cooperation of the work table and spinner plate mechanism carried thereby. For example, themold-holding devices or clamping jaws actuated into and out of engagement with the mold member by means of the relatively angularly adjustable revolving plate members, constitute an improved feature in apparatus of this type. It is of first importance, in the handling of heated mold units, that the same be set up and prepared for the reception of the casting metal with as little delay as possible. Particularly is this true in the case of a centrifugal casting process such as described in the prior, parent application, before noted. The arrangement of the direct acting, self -centering clamping jaws together with the spirally grooved r/amming plate, cooperating locking plate, and positive centering agency, is particularly well adapted to achieve the desired speed of mold centering and securement. The mobile arrangement of work table for the support and carriage of the above noted mold-holding device, adequately and efficiently solves the problem of transporting the mold unit from the "heating furnace to the pouring and casting station. All non-essential equipment and apparatus has been eliminated by combining and coordinating the major items of production apparatus in the herein described and greatly improved manner.

The foregoing items of apparatus and cooperating adjuncts represent the preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, it should be well understood that the same are susceptible of many changes and alterations without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims hereunto appended.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for centrifugal processing, a rotatable table, a mold assembly arranged on the table, said mold including an arbor projecting therefrom, means for rotating the table, mold holding means carried by the table and including relatively displaceable cam plate means and mold-holding fingers, means actuated by displaceable movement of the cam plate means for actuating the holding fingers into and outof holding engagement with the mold, and means extending axially of a. portion of the table rotating means, forming an axialsocket located and arranged to coact with said projecting arbor of the mold, for centering the mold axially on the table.

2. In apparatus adapted to support, clamp and rotate a. container of material to be centrifugally processed, a frame, a hollow shaft rotatably supported in the frame, a container-supporting plate secured near the end of said shaft and provided with an aperture in line with said shaft, ram means axially movable in said hollow shaft and adapted for thrust-engagement with said container, displaceable container-holding fingers carried by said plate and operable in radial directions into and out of holding engagement with the container, and adapted for centering the container with respect to the shaft and for anchoring said container against the thrust of said ram means. I

3. In casting apparatus of the type adapted to support, clamp and rotate a casting mold, the combination of a supporting frame, a hollow shaft operably carried in said frame, a, mold-supporting plate secured to one end of said shaft,.a plurality of mold-holding fingers slidably carried on said mold-supporting plate, a camming plate rotatlvely supported on said shaft in concentric adiacence to said mold-supporting plate, a follower element on each of said mold-holding finger adapted-to engage portions of said camming plate whereby upon rotation of said camming plate said fingers will be moved toward or away from holding engagement with a mold, means for rotating said hollow shaft, and ram means axially movable in said hollow shaft and adapted to engage and raise the mold against said holding fingers when the latter have been moved into mold-holding position.

4. Apparatus forcentrifugal processing, including a carriage, a work-supporting spinner plate mounted above the carriage, a drive shaft for the spinner plate, projecting below the carriage, drive means connected to the shaft and dependingly carried as a unit below the carriage, wheel elements on the carriage, a wheel track structure to enable predetermined translatory movement of the apparatus into different stations of process significance to the work on the spinner plate, said track structure further including a fixedly pivoted, horizontally movable track section, to and from which the apparatus is adapted to be moved in efiecting a translatory movement thereof, from, to and between the several of said process stations.

5. In apparatus for centrifugal casting, a work table swingably movable in a horizontal plane, a carriage adapted for the support of a mold assembly, said carriage being movable on and off of the table, a fluid pressure motor for moving the carriage, means defining a mold spinning station adjacent the path of the table for receiving the carriage with the mold at the time of pouring, ram means supported by said carriage and including an element operable through the carriage and against the mold for compacting parts of the mold and contents, and means for clamping the mold against displacement with respect to the carriage.

6. In apparatus for centrifugal casting, including a work table and a carriage thereon movable with respect to said work table, rotary workhoiding means operatively carried on said carriage, means for rotating said work-holdin means, said work-holding means comprising rel- 20 atively displaceable plate elements, a plurality of work-holding fingers, camming surfaces on one of said displaceable plate elements, cam followers on the other of said plate elements and operatively connected with the fingers, means for looking the displaceable plate elements against relative movement, whereby to lock the work-holding fingers in work-retaining positions, a fluid pressure operated piston member extending through the said displaceable plate elements and adapted to engage and press the work against said workholding fingers, means for pressure-actuating the piston member, and a member depending from said carriage and arranged to support and enclose said means for rotating said work-holding means and said means for pressure-actuating the piston member.

. GORDON R. ANDERSON. 

